“What’s he/ That was not born of woman?” Maternal power in Macbeth is not held within the presence of one figure, but is rather dispersed throughout the play. The presence of maternity and children are almost constant, influencing what deeds that are done. Primarily focused and evoked through Macbeth’s relationships create a larger image of male identity and the fears of autonomy itself influenced by feminine presence; nurturing love, maternity and children. These are shown through Duncan, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth Macduff and Malcolm. The driving influence of the play is to rid oneself of the looming female presence that threatens identity. In this paper, I will discuss children and maternal influence are not a source of weakness within Macbeth,
…show more content…
It begins with King Duncan in Act I scene iv “Your highness ' part / Is to receive our duties; and our duties / Are to your throne and state children and servants" (1.4.23-25). Duncan is a center for authority. He provides lineage and honor, as well as names, nurturance, and has his own children that he will grow into becoming rightful inheritors to the throne (Alerdman, 106). Duncan carries both male and female traits being both Father and Mother to his people. To think of your people and servants and children is the power behind the making of a good king. This is disrupted when Macbeth, under the influence of his wife, chooses to murder the king to fulfill his prophecy. When thinking about the murder and the aftermath, Macbeth says "pity, like a naked new-born babe, / Striding the blast, or heaven 's cherubim, horsed / Upon the sightless couriers of the air, / Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, / That tears shall drown the wind" (1.7.21-25). Macbeth compares Duncan to that of a “new-born babe” and one that is cherub-like and of complete innocence. It is such a powerful image, that the image itself can bring tears to his eyes. Here, Macbeth is directly influenced by the image of a child to not commit such an act. He cannot disrupt the …show more content…
When he learns that none of his thanes will support him in the fight against England, Macbeth likes to make himself feel better by antagonizing Malcolm. "What 's the boy Malcolm? / Was he not born of woman?" (5.3.4). To Macbeth, the term boy is a term of abuse. Even when the servant comes to tell him of England, he verbally abuses him, "Go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, / Thou lily-liver 'd boy" (5.3.14-15). The age of the servant or of Malcolm is unclear, but it is clear that to feel good about himself, to find power, Macbeth has no fear in overpowering “boys”. Towards the end of the play, he becomes so desperate for power that he constantly states to himself, seven time in total, that none a woman born shall harm him. He is invincible. So much that he goes on to kill Young Siward and state that he was born of a woman. Macbeth ultimately learns that Macduff was ripped from his mothers womb, rather than born. He is then influenced by what the bloody child has told tim. Upon hearing that Macduff was not of woman born, Macbeth says that he will not fight, but Macduff doesn 't give him a choice. He says that if Macbeth won 't fight, he 'll take him prisoner and exhibit him to jeering crowds as the ex-tyrant (Weller). Macbeth replies, "I will not yield, / To kiss the ground before young Malcolm 's feet, / And to be baited with the rabble 's curse"
It begins with King Duncan in Act I scene iv “Your highness ' part / Is to receive our duties; and our duties / Are to your throne and state children and servants" (1.4.23-25). Duncan is a center for authority. He provides lineage and honor, as well as names, nurturance, and has his own children that he will grow into becoming rightful inheritors to the throne (Alerdman, 106). Duncan carries both male and female traits being both Father and Mother to his people. To think of your people and servants and children is the power behind the making of a good king. This is disrupted when Macbeth, under the influence of his wife, chooses to murder the king to fulfill his prophecy. When thinking about the murder and the aftermath, Macbeth says "pity, like a naked new-born babe, / Striding the blast, or heaven 's cherubim, horsed / Upon the sightless couriers of the air, / Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, / That tears shall drown the wind" (1.7.21-25). Macbeth compares Duncan to that of a “new-born babe” and one that is cherub-like and of complete innocence. It is such a powerful image, that the image itself can bring tears to his eyes. Here, Macbeth is directly influenced by the image of a child to not commit such an act. He cannot disrupt the …show more content…
When he learns that none of his thanes will support him in the fight against England, Macbeth likes to make himself feel better by antagonizing Malcolm. "What 's the boy Malcolm? / Was he not born of woman?" (5.3.4). To Macbeth, the term boy is a term of abuse. Even when the servant comes to tell him of England, he verbally abuses him, "Go prick thy face, and over-red thy fear, / Thou lily-liver 'd boy" (5.3.14-15). The age of the servant or of Malcolm is unclear, but it is clear that to feel good about himself, to find power, Macbeth has no fear in overpowering “boys”. Towards the end of the play, he becomes so desperate for power that he constantly states to himself, seven time in total, that none a woman born shall harm him. He is invincible. So much that he goes on to kill Young Siward and state that he was born of a woman. Macbeth ultimately learns that Macduff was ripped from his mothers womb, rather than born. He is then influenced by what the bloody child has told tim. Upon hearing that Macduff was not of woman born, Macbeth says that he will not fight, but Macduff doesn 't give him a choice. He says that if Macbeth won 't fight, he 'll take him prisoner and exhibit him to jeering crowds as the ex-tyrant (Weller). Macbeth replies, "I will not yield, / To kiss the ground before young Malcolm 's feet, / And to be baited with the rabble 's curse"